Yeah the dealer has to get involved and get things going with Mike if you want specific selection. You gotta say so up front so they know to do that for you. The good news is, it's gonna be great even if you don't. 
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The Official MTD USA Thread
- Thread starter johnpaulbass
- Start date
Yeah the dealer has to get involved and get things going with Mike if you want specific selection. You gotta say so up front so they know to do that for you. The good news is, it's gonna be great even if you don't.
Yep. Of the six MTDs I've owned the most stunning top (to me) was the one he chose for the burl maple-topped 535 I ordered.
That was the brown stained one that I referred to as "chocolate". I sold it not too long after I bought it only because I found it too heavy.
'Twas a fine bass (that is, as far as I know, still residing in Montreal). But being the wimp that I am I just couldn't deal with the over-ten-poundness of it.
- Jun 5, 2008
- 541
- 104
- 44
- Disclosures
- MTD Bass (USA & Kingston) & Strings, R.Cocco Strings, Gruvgear, Noll Preamp, Nordstrands
Maybe this will help with your questions...
I'm an official MTD Dealer, located in Indonesia, just got the dealership a few months ago, I knew Mike since I lived in New York, 2009-2010. I started dealership when I made a custom order MTD, still not finished, can't wait! Anyways, our friend Widjajar order that particular Bass he mentioned through me.
In his case, he wants a Bass that is 100% custom made, personally selects the woods, etc, sometimes he would email Mike directly or through me, no problem on that. Also He doesn't mind the long wait (Ordered on May). Mike's normal lead time is roughly 10-12 months, but usually faster, depends on what happens with the build slots.
When choosing the woods, I always told Mike to give options for the woods, as that's what me and my customers wanted. My build for example, I wanted a Walnut top OR a Bubinga top, when Mike has enough supply of both kind (5 different ones, minimal), he would send me pictures of them, and I will select which one I want. The time between placing the order and selecting the top is various, depends on the supply of the kind of top you want. Mine was chosen around a month after I paid my deposit, Widjajar just selected his top early this month (3 Mo after deposit), in his case he wants to change from an Ebony to the Poplar Burl top.
Mike will let you know when he will be starting to make the bass, a week before that, no specs can be changed, the tops must be selected, if not, it could delay your build time further. So in between the deposit and your build time you can change your specs, pick your wood, change your scale, number of strings, frets, neck shape, etc.
In my case, and Widjajar's we want a unique fingerboard too, so he opted for a Pisctachio, and I went for a Bubinga Board (The first ever on an MTD, the first one Mike done in 20 years). We selected our fingerboards from a few options as well, I end up with a Bubinga that was suppose to be a top wood, can't get any better than that
In your dealer's case, perhaps they have already ordered a few basses for their stock (they choose the woods, etc), and one of them happens to have the same spec with what you want, so they just gave that one to you, good thing is you don't have to wait long. One of my customer ordered an MTD Andrew Gouche 535, I ask Mike and he was building one, no buyers yet, so I went with that one, and it's done in a month.
Ordering through a Dealer or straight to Mike is up to the customer. Mike is not the best in online communication, so discussing with a dealer that understands MTD well will avoid miss-communication, and saves time too IMO
I will just say that Mike would always prefer working through, and supporting his dealer network. For both the reasons you mentioned, as well as other important reasons, all revolving around best customer service. Otherwise, he wouldn't offer (and prefer) dealerships at all.
Just FYI.
Support the MTD dealership chains. It's the best way.
Can a US MTD owner tell me if the maroon gig bags that come with the Kingston Basses (and as featured on the Kingston website) the same as the bags that come with US models?
- Jun 5, 2008
- 541
- 104
- 44
- Disclosures
- MTD Bass (USA & Kingston) & Strings, R.Cocco Strings, Gruvgear, Noll Preamp, Nordstrands
I've always been given a choice by Mike about which case I want (soft, hard, none) but that might be because I pick mine up in person. I know that Mike prefers the idea of shipping his U.S. basses in hard cases.
I would always get mine with a hard case, but only use it for shipping. Gig bags out there these days are perfectly safe for the life of the average gigging bass, and a lot more convenient and lightweight to carry. If I needed something to protect it from more severe conditions, I still wouldn't use the MTD hard case. I'd get a full on ATA case.
Hey there MTD'ers! Before I reach out to Mike anyone know of a good full set-up guy/gal for these beloved MTD's in the Bay Area? I sit almost smack in the middle of San Francisco and Sacramento (a little closer to SF). My guy who has worked on my basses for years moved out of state. Ya can't just go with anybody nowadays so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, many thanks in advance BTW - y'all see that smokin USA Saratoga on the classifieds WOW!
BTW - y'all see that smokin USA Saratoga on the classifieds WOW!
No need. Somebody already does.I'm still waiting for Mike to start offering Portabags...
Ok, ok, you want MTD or non-branded... I get it...
Well, if Access ever makes that new Stage 5 generally available, there you go, but I've heard mixed reports back from folks checking into it. Maybe start there tho. There is a back story as to why they may choose not to offer it directly, but I hope they do or will.
I'm still waiting for Mike to start offering Portabags...
I'm strangely unsurprised to hear you say that.
No need. Somebody already does.
Ok, ok, you want MTD or non-branded... I get it...
Well, if Access ever makes that new Stage 5 generally available, there you go, but I've heard mixed reports back from folks checking into it. Maybe start there tho. There is a back story as to why they may choose not to offer it directly, but I hope they do or will.
I've been using Portabags for a few years now with all of my basses. They're hands down my favourite cases.
No need. Somebody already does.
Ok, ok, you want MTD or non-branded... I get it...
Well, if Access ever makes that new Stage 5 generally available, there you go, but I've heard mixed reports back from folks checking into it. Maybe start there tho. There is a back story as to why they may choose not to offer it directly, but I hope they do or will.
I'm still over the moon about the iGig bag I got a couple of years ago. It's my best gigbag, my Portabag included. I think the Portabag probaby offers a bit more protection, but the iGig is pretty damned good. Oh, and miles more comfortable to wear.
And I get a perverse sort of pleasure pulling an MTD out of a Sadowsky case every time.
